Loss of some Elite perks

[caribill]

Breaking News: New Princess Elite Status Amenity (Included in all Elite Passenger Staterooms)

 

If I am elite in a cabin but my cabin mate is not elite, can he/she make use of the new amenity in your photo?

 

If I am elite in a suite, will there be two of them in the suite or just one?

[kruisey]

I don't understand what age or size has to do with this. I understand the sentiment of:

"On several cruises, some Elite were sending out 5-7 bags a day. Princess is not paying attention or monitoring this so we all lose. :("

 

But I don't understand what:

"in a variety of sizes, from children's to extra large"

has to do with anything. If an Elite passenger is large and has children, are they supposed to be monitored more closely? And if so, for what? Are large parents not supposed to get the same benefit as every other Elite?

Think something has been missed only elite passengers get free laundry.

Elite folks that travel with non elite friends abuse the system by including their non elite friends laundry.

Also two in a cabin one elite the other not there again two persons using the elite free laundry...........Smarten up Princess being elite myself on the 32 day cruise I did not appreciate receiving my knickers and socks returned 3 day after and my jeans and nightware 5 days later..... All from the one bag of laundry.Cheating non elites ruining our laundry service so get the laundry security cops on to this one....think of the financial gains when you charge them:evilsmile::evilsmile::evilsmile:

[mrs and mrs]

Not to mention those of us who sail solo and pay exorbitant single supplement! Lol

 

LOL, very, very true.

[XBGuy]

Sorry. I have known people who actually felt they were superior because they had a bunch of money. The fact that they kept inheriting more and more and didn't earn it themselves didn't enter into the picture. They looked down on anybody who was, for instance, a waiter or a cook or anybody who did any sort of "labor".

 

Yes, I agree, completely. However, it is what it is. You can see thim right here on this board. I'm not going to change them. Heck, they probably think I'm a jerk.

 

I guess it just got to me and the particular post to which I responded pushed a button. I hate it when I get snarky. Usually it only happens late at night when I'm in pain. Sadly, I don't even have that poor excuse as that wasn't the case with the referenced post.

That explains why your response sounded out of character to me. I apologize for jumping on you a bit.

 

As for your uber tier: I have never had a problem with making a new level to reward those who cruise a lot - and who do spend a lot. Your plan actually sounds reasonable and works fine for me. Sadly Princess likely won't handle it that well and, if they do implement something, may do it in a ham-handed manner that upsets a lot of loyal cruisers.

I'd be willing to let them take a shot at it.

 

 

Most of the issues people have regarding their Elite benefits don't affect me as I am not yet Elite. One of these days we will reach that level but I don't think it will make us special. I'm actually usually a tad envious of the first time cruiser as they are getting the big WOW! of their first cruise.

Our first cruise was our honeymoon--40 years ago.

I'm not at the Elite level, either. The fact of the matter is most of the perquisites of Elitism are, pretty much, meaningless to me. I do like priority check in that I received when I assumed to Platinum level, but internet minutes, cocktail receptions, priority tendering and things like that just do not snap my carrot. If it takes three days to return "Elite" laundry, I would just pay to get 1-day service. I'm a Social Security pensioner. So, I'm not rich. However, if I can't afford a couple bucks to have my BVDs cleaned, then I can't afford four or five thousand dollars fare for a cruise.

 

 

I do like caribill's idea of not counting any days or cruises where the auto gratuity has been turned off. :evilsmile:

Yes, I am inclined to agree. .

 

 

As I expected, Thrak, we agree more than disagree.

[umuva]

Seems to be a lot of the Instant gratification generation. I didn't get my laundry back immediately. Can't wait. Therefore, must be total abuse of the system. Some people washing too many clothes, too often. Some letting non Elite spouse's clothes in the bag. Some, since I don't wash often, why should others?

It's a perk. Just like internet minutes, which sometimes are not available.

Stop complaining about good things. You are on a vacation. Stop worrying what others are doing. There are more important things than someone washing more clothes than you.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[cflutist]

Seems to be a lot of the Instant gratification generation. I didn't get my laundry back immediately. Can't wait. Therefore, must be total abuse of the system. Some people washing too many clothes, too often. Some letting non Elite spouse's clothes in the bag. Some, since I don't wash often, why should others?

It's a perk. Just like internet minutes, which sometimes are not available.

Stop complaining about good things. You are on a vacation. Stop worrying what others are doing. There are more important things than someone washing more clothes than you.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Not always true, we are Elite sailing in suites. Although we are entitled to SAME DAY laundry, next day was fine for us. But then again, we are old fart baby boomers :D

[umuva]

Not always true, we are Elite sailing in suites. Although we are entitled to SAME DAY laundry, next day was fine for us. But then again, we are old fart baby boomers :D

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[umuva]

Commenting about those who are complaining. You are not. As are we (OFBB).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Thrak]

Commenting about those who are complaining. You are not. As are we (OFBB).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

You are Old Forester Birthday Bourbon? Wow! Come visit my stateroom sometime. :)

[Plant]

As the OP I want to put in my 2 cent's worth! I really just wanted the perks that Princess offered for Elite passengers. I didn't want any "extra's or any "freebies". If Princess (or any cruise line, etc.) offer's perks I DO expect them to be honored.

JMHO

[sonomaphil]

As the OP I want to put in my 2 cent's worth! I really just wanted the perks that Princess offered for Elite passengers. I didn't want any "extra's or any "freebies". If Princess (or any cruise line, etc.) offer's perks I DO expect them to be honored.

JMHO

 

You sent your laundry out, they cleaned it, they gave it back to you. What was not being honored?

 

Complimentary Laundry and Professional Cleaning Services***

Upon request, your stateroom steward will organize your laundry to be cleaned - compliments of Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle!

 

***Excludes same-day service

[fishywood]

As the OP I want to put in my 2 cent's worth! I really just wanted the perks that Princess offered for Elite passengers. I didn't want any "extra's or any "freebies". If Princess (or any cruise line, etc.) offer's perks I DO expect them to be honored.

JMHO

 

Even having met all the qualifications for the perks there is still reasonable forethought required on your part. It appears your intent from the get go was to stretch the perk to its limit: in your first post you all but admitted to bringing so little clothing for a 28 day cruise that anything but the fastest turnaround time would leave you short. A self-fulfilling prophesy just waiting to happen.

[crochetcruise]

A topic that I always have lots to say about! I too suspected the OP was on the April 12 Emerald Princess 29 day Sydney to LA. IMHO Princess has the best perks overall and we appreciate them very much!

 

We've had the "three day warning" cards quite often in the past but this was the first time for us that it was always 3 days and sometimes 4 but we probably put it in too late in the day when it took 4 days. Also there was no priority tendering but that never bothers us. I noticed that even the Suite/Elite line at Passenger Services was missing.

 

This did make me think just a little that the Elite benefits are occasionally being watered down a little due to too many Elites. This would be just the way it is if everyone got to Elite the same way but it seems to me there are way too many shortcuts to Elite lately. We got one cruise credit for 29 days yet this same ship did the 1 night Vancouver to Seattle cruise just 10 days later where many couples book two single occupancy inside cabins just to get two cruise credits each for less than 20 hours onboard.

 

It's I think it is important to always have a higher level to strive for. That doesn't have to mean a big expense to Princess though. Laundry usually seems to be the biggest problem on cruises with large numbers of Elite passengers.

 

Princess doesn't like to rock the boat. Any changes that mean taking something away will create lots of howling. With free laundry solve the problems, don't take it away, just introduce limits to avoid losing the perk all together. All laundry items have a price which is calculated and then refunded to Elites. Set a reasonable limit per Elite Passenger, for example $10 a day. Board a 7 day cruise and each Elite Passenger sees a $70 Laundry credit on their account. They can use it throughout the cruise however they want. This solves the problem of boarding with a bunch of laundry needing done due to a week of travelling before boarding.

 

Make the allowance generous enough that even this extra laundry won't consume all of your allowance unless maybe you are someone who puts everything in the laundry every time you wear it. Everyone is quick to mention hot climates but even then not everything you wear every day has to go to the laundry.

 

People frequently mention making a 1 bag per day per cabin limit. Okay but to me that is still over the top. Typically my wife and I put in about 1 bag every 3 days depending on the climate. If we leave it any longer we usually have to put in two bags.

 

A 5 day cruise and putting in laundry? Really? Maybe if you were on the road at least several days before boarding.

 

Getting everything cleaned before going home so you don't have to do laundry once home? Really! Abuse of the perk IMHO. If they cancelled the free laundry for Elites, which would you be more upset about: Losing the clean laundry to take home or having to do your own laundry numerous times while on a 28 day cruise? It is such a good perk while you are cruising why run the risk of ruining it to get your laundry cleaned just to take home?

 

Put some reasonable limits on the Elite Free Laundry, introduce Elite Plus and give them a higher laundry allowance and save Unlimited Free Laundry for a new "Merrill Stubing Class"! Most laundry delay problems solved, passengers no longer sending in laundry for their ten relatives, most Elite passengers still receiving a generous laundry allowance AND extra perks created to give to new higher classes of Elite. Win-Win!

 

AE_Collector

 

For medical reasons, I needed to have a certain item washed and dried, while on a 3 night cruise on the Golden Princess. I was in a Window Suite, and only sent 1 bag of laundry out-but I did get everything that needed to be done, attended to. I always intended to get my Embarkation outfit cleaned ready for Disembarkation, it came up a treat! I have honestly tried using the disposable version of the item, but disposables just DON'T do the job to the same standard! :mad: It's a nuisance for me, and believe me, I HAVE tried to find a way around needing the item freshened up. I aired my top overnight, and used a different top the next morning and changed for the evening-mi-and-match toning colours are a great help here.

 

Already started planning my wardrobe for the September 018 cruise-I learnt lots about what works for me, and what failed, so should be even better prepared.

[elfinmagic]

Usually send our laundry in the AM and get it back next day PM - the only times we have had to wait an additional day were toward the end of a B/B cruise. On our first elite cruise (31 days) we racked up $1500 in laundry charges which was removed on the last day

[Iamcruzin]

And what would count? The fare you paid to a TA who offers a discount or the advertised fare which you did not pay?

 

And of course each time you ask for a re-fare to get a lower price, you would also get less "points" towards status.

 

Why make it so complicated? It really works OK now.

 

Also what about all of the OBC given by The TA, the military OBC, FCC OBC, Share Holder OBC (did I miss any) all of these can be combined. After all of the price adjustments for the stateroom and OBC added, someone who booked in a balcony may be spending less than someone who booked an interior and paid full price

[Iamcruzin]

What nobody seems to acknowledge is that the Loyalty Commend tiers, with their OBC, already create an enhanced rewards option structure. I get $75 to spend on any perk I like, completely a la carte. Fresh flowers for the cabin and a bottle of wine? Presto laundry service? 60 hands of video poker? The world is my oyster.

 

You notice that too? I'm nowhere near elite status and even I know this. This is the best perk of all. Free money. Creating a new and higher status will only create a new thread, "Loss of some Elite Plus perks".

[Iamcruzin]

Don't go jumping to conclusions. I'm not Elite. But if I pay for a full suite I expect a higher level of service.

 

I couldn't agree more. Also I would expect that if I am paying for laundry service it would take priority over free elite laundry.

[floridalover5623]

[/b]

 

I couldn't agree more. Also I would expect that if I am paying for laundry service it would take priority over free elite laundry.

You make it sound like an Elite didn't have to pay to get the perk.

[Iamcruzin]

You make it sound like an Elite didn't have to pay to get the perk.

 

 

The difference is that it's a perk not a purchase.

[CatsareCool]

On the 29 day Emerald cruise, we were expecting the laundry delay and planned accordingly before we even left home. How many t-shirts/socks/undies will we really need to take and not run out. Always got our laundry back within the 3 day time frame. But sometimes it has to do with the cabin stewart (love you stewart!) if they check to see if your laundry is completed. With 950 elite onboard, (which isn't necessarily unusual for a long cruise) along with other laundry that needs to be completed (napkins, tablecloths, towels etc. and crew's also) the laundry is cranked up running in full gear. I appreciate having my laundry done for me and because of our preplanning never had an issue or ran out of the must need items.

[XBGuy]

And what would count? The fare you paid to a TA who offers a discount or the advertised fare which you did not pay?

 

And of course each time you ask for a re-fare to get a lower price, you would also get less "points" towards status.

 

Why make it so complicated? It really works OK now.

 

Apparently, it's not working well, now, if you read Cruise Critic. People are whining about the fact that you can get one cruise credit for a one day cruise, and only one cruise credit for a 28-day cruise. Apparently, that is considered to be unfair. Also, the it appears that those who have achieved Elite level have no meaniing left in their life. There is nothing left for them to aspire to. They want more tiers. Subsequent to my original post, I suggested that Princess could leave the current scheme in place until Elite level has been attained. At that time these loyal Princess Elite customers are automatically enrolled in a new program in which points are earned based on dollars spent. Points can then be exchanged for rewards. The most obvious would be an exchange of points for OBC, but it could be drink vouchers, casino credit, specialty restaurant dining, Bingo cards.

 

It seems to me that your other objections have already been encountered by the hotel industry. Travelers make hotel reservations using Orbitz, or Priceline or whatever. Somehow they seem to make it work

 

I would think that Princess could award the points to the passenger based on the amount that they receive. If a passenger sees that the amount of points does not equal the amount that he sent the travel agent, then I would suggest that he now is able to accurately assign a value to the additional service provided by the travel agent. In other words, it adds transparency.

 

Refaring is nothing more than cancelling one reservation and making another. It happens all the time. Points are awarded based on what the passenger finally pays.

 

Also what about all of the OBC given by The TA, the military OBC, FCC OBC, Share Holder OBC (did I miss any) all of these can be combined. After all of the price adjustments for the stateroom and OBC added, someone who booked in a balcony may be spending less than someone who booked an interior and paid full price

 

Well, the way I would do it is just look at the debits that the passenger accummulates on his folio and ignore the credits. So, if between automatic gratuities, Princess excursions, alcoholic beverages, whatever, he has $1000 in shipboard expenses, then he gets $1000 worth of points. I may be wrong (OK, that happens a lot) but Princess should not be concerned if that $1000 was paid via a credit card, cash or OBC.

 

Can you please help me out on "price adjustments for the stateroom?" I'm not sure I understand what that is. I certainly understand that a person who books an inside room could spend more that another person who books a balcony. My whole thesis is that it is in Princess' best interest to know who their most profitable customers are, and take steps to encourage those most profitable customers to book new cruises. If the guy who books the inside cabin is a big spender, then why wouldn't Princess what to have him come back?

 

I can't believe that you guys haven't asked about the most obvious problem with this scheme. One that, by the way, is very easily resolved.

 

;p

[floridalover5623]

How many t-shirts/socks/undies will we really need to take and not run out.

I always take the bare minimum no matter how long the trip.

2 -T shirts

3 -pair socks

3 -pair underwear

Just in case. ;)

[trishh]

This has been the case on all of my cruises for the last 2-3 years. On longer cruises, the delay has been as much as 7-8 days to get laundry back. Part is due to the number of Elite onboard, part due to more and more Elite abusing the system. On several cruises, some Elite were sending out 5-7 bags a day in a variety of sizes, from children's to extra large. Princess is not paying attention or monitoring this so we all lose. :(

 

 

Princess could do a much better job of managing the laundry from Elite. IMHO, on cruises with a lot of Elite, they could limit the number of bags per cabin to perhaps one per day. I know that the vast majority of Elite wouldn't have a problem with this.

I'm just wondering how people know what is in anyone's laundry bag? I pack up our laundry and leave the bag closed on our bed ready for the steward to pick up when he cleans the cabin. Are there really passengers checking out what I'm putting in there???;)

[USN59-79]

I'm just wondering how people know what is in anyone's laundry bag? I pack up our laundry and leave the bag closed on our bed ready for the steward to pick up when he cleans the cabin. Are there really passengers checking out what I'm putting in there???;)

The point is that I could care less how other passengers handle their laundry. We became elite in 2014. I didn't plan for it, just noticed it once we were on the Sapphire. We enjoyed the free laundry perk, particularly on our 71 day cruise on Ocean. Knowing I have it, I bring 5 sets of underwear, knowing that it may take 3 days to get them back. We also have cruise a lot on HAL. They have a 4-star category similar to elite: at least it includes free laundry. They have two categories above that; 5-star and President's Club. We achieved 5-star with 500 days. Not a big improvement; we get a couple of free dinners in a specialty restaurant and a discount on internet minutes. The President's Club attracts those who take world cruises every year and some longer voyages in between. Not sure the exact number of days; seems like 1200 or 1500. Those people get some extra perks, like flowers in their room, something like $40 a week in free drinks, and a lot of special cocktail parties or dinners with the Captain.

Anyway, we are cruising on the Diamond in October and November because we like the cruise line, the ship and the itinerary.

The price was right, too. As long as Princess doesn't take away my perks, I will be happy to cruise with them again.

[Iamcruzin]

Anyway, we are cruising on the Diamond in October and November because we like the cruise line, the ship and the itinerary.

 

The price was right, too. As long as Princess doesn't take away my perks, I will be happy to cruise with them again.

 

 

That's what it boils down to for me. Some of these people make it seem like their only ambition in life was to sail only on Princess just to reach elite status. It's been 7 years since my last Princess cruise. I have platinum status on Princess and for the last few years I have sailed on Celebrity due to price itinerary and time of cruise. Next year I will be on Princess because of they finally have an itinerary I want and it sails at the time of year that works for me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums